The Plumbing Profession

A plumber is a tradesperson who specializes in installing and maintaining systems used for potable (drinking) water, sewage and drainage in plumbing systems. Plumbers are a familiar sight to most people who employ them to fix a leak or install a sink.

One Sutherland Shire plumbing company employs tradesmen who are skilled in many different aspects of the trades, ranging from pipe-layers, pipefitters, and steamfitters do much more than this, however. You might ask, why become a plumber? Plumbing actually is a fulfilling career that allows one to combine knowledge and innovation with the ability to create and build with your hands. It also offers tremendous benefits and career potential. It is one of the professions that are highly rewarding and evergreen as the plumbing system is an essential part of every home, whether new or old.

Successful plumbers usually have solid math and problem-solving skills, high mechanical aptitude, good manual dexterity and a tolerance for working in cramped spaces. Plumbers often work on-call, as part of an emergency plumbing service and may have to work nights and weekends; the nature of the job requires travel to multiple work sites on a regular basis. Injuries like cuts or burns are common in this profession. Some plumbers are self-employed and have the freedom to set their own schedules. Full-time work and overtime are common for this profession.

Becoming a plumber offers you amazing earnings potential. It also offers you the potential to carve your own career path, with great opportunities for advancement for hard working individuals. From the starting position of a field technician, you can climb the plumbing career ladder to gain more responsibility, begin to manage jobs and individuals, and ultimately make more money.

Plumbers can advance from service technicians to installers, operation managers and distribution managers based on their hard work and commitment to their field. Becoming a plumber grants you the opportunity to find a job today. The demand for skilled tradespeople continues to grow. Prospects for those entering the industry are projected to be excellent as there will be little competition.

Years of training and/or experience are needed to become a skilled plumber; some jurisdictions also require that plumbers be licensed. The first step in the career roadmap of becoming a plumber is to get professional training. While a formal training program may not be required, it can aid advancement and teach students useful skills that can come in handy on the job. The second step is to complete an apprenticeship program. Apprenticeship programs are provided by local unions and their affiliates, as well as by non-union contractors. These programs last from 4 to 5 years and combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction, which can be either paid or unpaid.

Next is to obtain a License, in most jurisdictions, plumbers must have 2 to 5 years of work experience before they can take an examination and obtain a license. The exam requires applicants to know all local codes for plumbing. In some areas, plumbers who plan to work on gas lines will need to acquire an additional license.

Lastly is to Seek Additional Certification. In addition to apprenticeship and licensure, plumbers may choose to earn certification. While certification is not required, it might help plumbers advance in their profession and take advantage of new job opportunities.